Abstract: A temperature-controlled storage system has a compartment with a front wall containing a first heat exchanger, a heat pump for transferring heat to or removing heat from the first heat exchanger and a removable, portable container nested in the compartment such that a second heat exchanger provided in a front wall of the container is in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger. By controlling the operation of the heat pump, the insides of the container can be cooled or heated as desired.

Abstract: A temperature conditioned insulated container in a vehicle selectively heats or cools items stored therein. A thermoelectric energy module is coupled to a heat exchanger plate disposed in a compartment of the container. A power control circuit controls power to the thermoelectric energy module and a cooling fan motor. The drive circuit drives the thermoelectric energy module with a decaying drive signal for a predetermined time after the vehicle is shut down to prevent damage to the thermoelectric energy module. In a defrost operation, the drive circuit provides a decaying drive signal to the thermoelectric module during the beginning of a defrost cycle. After providing no cooling for a predetermined time, the drive signal is increased until the refrigerator operating system returns to full operation. By slowly varying the drive power in these situations, thermal stresses within the thermoelectric energy module are reduced.

Abstract: A temperature controlled mobile vehicle compartment for providing a convenient article storage having a heat exchanger thermally connected to a thermoelectric device controlling thermal energy flow to and from the compartment. An air duct assembly cooperates with the thermoelectric device to vent the heat from the device outside the compartment and segregates the inflow air from the outflow air which received the thermal energy.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module contains a P-type semiconductor element and an N-type semiconductor element electrically connected in series to each other in a circuit containing a conductor and a solder layer. The solder is formed from a ternary eutectic alloy composition containing bismuth in an amount of from 5 to 70 atomic %, tin in an amount of from 20 to 70 atomic % and antimony in an amount of from 5 to 70 atomic %. The solder composition provides the thermoelectric module with improved high temperature performance and enables the semiconductor elements to be directly contacted with the soldering layer without the necessity of a barrier layer.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device using a pressed and sintered P-type semiconductor material connected to a crystalline N-type semiconductor material exhibits an unexpectedly high figure-of-merit, Z, and improved mechanical strength.

Abstract: A temperature controlled mobile vehicle compartment for providing a convenient article storage having a heat exchanger thermally connected to a thermoelectric device controlling thermal energy flow to and from the compartment. An air duct assembly cooperates with the thermoelectric device to vent the heat from the device outside the compartment and segregates the inflow air from the outflow air which received the thermal energy.